Bowden replaced Tony Hill last month in the only change in the panel from last year.

Bowden, currently handling duties in the second Test between England and Sri Lanka had an absolute shocker of a Day 4 at Headingley in Leeds, with no fewer than THREE poor decisions in the closing overs.

Firstly, with Sri Lanka staging a remarkable second innings fightback, Bowden inexplicably turned down a regulation caught behind decision off the bowling of James Anderson. Quite how Bowden missed the edge defies belief. Had he thought it was "pad" it would've been plumb lbw.

Cricinfo wrote in reference to the incident: Anderson to Eranga, no run, England are convinced that's out! Looked like a regulation edge. They have no reviews left. Eranga prodding at a full ball. It's a massive edge! Bowden must have thought it was pad, which would have been lbw anyway. England wasted their reviews, true. Awful umpiring decision as well.

Then two further howlers in quick succession as England came out to bat in their second innings.

Once again, as described by Cricinfo: Prasad to Plunkett, no run, very full just outside off, Plunkett pokes at it and edges behind!! Or does he, it was given out (by Bowden) but Plunkett reviews straight away and it's a good review, Plunkett has missed this, nothing on Hot Spot nor Real Time Snicko.

And finally... Prasad to Root, no run, back of a length that Root has a tickle on down the leg side, taken by Chandimal and there's a polite enquiry for caught behind, Bowden thinks about it and gives it out! Goodness me! Reviewed by Root with a shake of the head and there's nothing on Hot Spot nor Real Time Snicko so this should be overturned, another poor one from Bowden.

While the ICC are very quick to punish fielders for expressing their unhappiness at shocking decisions by umpires, they are not as transparent when it comes to action handed out to officials.We await any news and/or sanction for Bowden.

The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires is selected by the ICC Umpires Selection Panel consisting of chairperson Geoff Allardice, ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, ex-England player and coach and umpire, David Lloyd, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, the former India captain and international umpire.

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